SANTACO mourns victims of deadly crash.
The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) has apologised to the families of the victims who died in a horrific taxi and truck accident.
Nine people lost their lives in the early hours of Friday morning, 29 May 2026, in a crash between Parys and Potchefstroom.
Santaco's newly elected national deputy secretary, Shiyekile Shakes Mayekani, told Daily Sun they learnt about the tragedy early on Friday morning.
Industry offers condolences
"Today we woke up to bad news of an accident that occurred between Parys and Potchefstroom where nine people have lost their lives. I am told that among those who lost their lives are adults, including men, and a child who is between 10 and 14 years old.
"We were informed that the truck failed to stop at the intersection coming from Fochville and Parys. As the taxi industry, we are very sorry and deeply disturbed about the accident and the people who lost their lives there because we know that losing even one life is too many," he said.
Mayekani said the taxi industry will keep the families in its prayers and visit them to offer condolences.
Details of the crash
Meanwhile, the North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management confirmed the accident.
Department spokesman Alpheus Oshebeng Koonyaditse said the accident happened at a tripoint linking North West, Free State and Gauteng, at the intersection of the Potchefstroom/Vereeniging Road and the Fochville/Parys Road.
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"The taxi carrying 16 passengers was travelling from the direction of Fochville towards Parys when it collided with a truck that was approaching the crossing point," he said.
Victims identified
Koonyaditse said eight people died at the scene while a ninth passenger later died in hospital.
The deceased include a 10-year-old girl, a woman and seven men.
"Eight other passengers from the taxi were taken to hospitals in Parys, Carletonville and Fochville with injuries. One of the injured passengers is a 15-year-old girl.
"he North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng, sends his deepest condolences to the bereaved families and wishes the injured a speedy recovery," Koonyaditse said.
A culpable homicide case is being investigated.
